Opened downtown in the midst of the area’s redevelopment, this gastropub from beloved Vegas chef Kerry Simon—who died in September 2015 of MSA—signaled a shift in the neighborhood’s dining scene. Finally, there was a place for creative comfort food and potent cocktails, a place to meet friends for a bite or head on a first date—if, that is, you could get a table. Since opening in 2014, Carson Kitchen has been packed with locals who come for the lively vibe and clean-your-plate cooking. Make a reservation in advance and get down on that bacon jam and bourbon fudge brownie.
Curious where the locals eat in Las Vegas? Look to Downtown. Once a culinary wasteland, recent development largely fueled by Tony Hsieh-backed investment group the Downtown Project has transformed the neighborhood into a restaurant row crammed with eateries doing fun, flavorful food at reasonable prices—the best Downtown Las Vegas restaurants are now some of the best in the city. Settle in for a full meal, or hop from spot to spot, sampling international small plates, Cajun cooking, top Las Vegas steakhouses or award-winning pizza. When you’re ready for a drink, some of Las Vegas’s best bars beckon.
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